This project has reached substantial completion. Thank you for your patience while we completed this important seismic project.

The Seattle Department of Transportation completed the inspection of the upper and lower roadways of the Fauntleroy Expressway on May 15th. Based on this inspection the contractor has a few final finishing items complete. These should be wrapped up by the middle of June and no further closures of the raised roadway are expected for this project.

This $2.7 million Bridging the Gap funded project upgraded the structure by strengthening 33 columns with steel jackets, strengthening the pile caps, replacing 674 bearing pads and adding longitudinal restrainers. This project was designed by Jacobs Engineering, and constructed by CA Carey Corporation with construction management services provided by KBA,Inc.

If you have any questions, or would like to subscribe to the Fauntleroy Expressway Email Update, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The Fauntleroy Expressway spans over SW Admiral Way, Harbor Ave SW, SW Avalon Way, SW Manning St., and local railroad tracks that access the adjacent steel mill. First built in 1963, it was designed by the Seattle Engineering Department, the precursor to the Seattle Department of Transportation. The Expressway carries traffic between the West Seattle Freeway and Fauntleroy Way SW and is approximately 2527 feet long.

Project Description

Fauntleroy Expressway Bridge

During the first phase of the seismic retrofit project, completed in 1994, column jackets were erected around select columns, and post tensioning was added to the supports. Longitudinal restrainers were also included to interconnect the roadway over each support.

Second phase construction activity began in September 2011 and is anticipated to be substantially completed by the end of the second quarter of 2012. This phase, estimated to cost $2.7 million, will upgrade the structure by strengthening the columns with steel jackets, strengthening the pile caps, replacing the bearing pads and adding longitudinal restrainers. Once completed, the seismic retrofitting improvements will decrease the probability that the Fauntleroy Expressway will collapse after a large magnitude earthquake.

For a cross-section of the bridge diagramming where the work is to be done, click here.

Traffic Impacts

During the installation of the new bearing pads, traffic on the Expressway will be impacted on some nights and weekends. Closures of the Expressway will occur intermittently and detour routes around the work area will be in effect.

What to expect during closures:

During Expressway closures a minimum of one on-ramp and one off-ramp to and from the Fauntleroy Expressway will always remain open.

The Delridge Way Southwest on- and off- ramps will be accessible throughout the project.

Additional signage will be utilized to ensure motorists are aware of and able to access the available ramps.

Due to this project’s varied construction conditions, closure schedules are subject to change.

Uniformed police officers will be on site as needed to keep traffic moving.

Closures will not occur during peak travel hours.

Project Funding

This project is funded by Bridging the Gap, a nine-year levy for transportation maintenance and improvements. Seattle voters passed the $365 million levy in November 2006. The goal of the program is to create a strong foundation for Seattle’s transportation future by reducing the infrastructure backlog and investing in major transportation projects.

Public Outreach

View from SW Admiral Way

We are working closely throughout the project with local government, institutions, community groups and businesses, as well as transportation agencies and nearby neighbors, to gather information and help ease construction impacts.
During construction we will provide information about the project to the public and keep neighbors engaged through regular e-mail updates. If you have any questions, or would like to subscribe to the Fauntleroy Expressway Email Update, please do not hesitate to contact us.